It would be interesting if the inventor is a french 'franc-archer' ( the french attempt to devellop bowmen equivalent to the english by granting special rights to peasants which would train with longbows lifelongs - they got tax exemptions, as long as they came with their equipments, trained, at least half a day per week ( IIRC ) and demonstrated their profinency yearly - ), who invents this as a result of the campaign by the high french nobility to delete the status ( and privileges ) of franc archers.
First, this would indeed give the french an edge during the later days of the 100-y war ( Jeanne is saved from capture by arches volleys ), but it would also have some interesting effect by creating a peasant middle-class ( a french yeomanry ), just when the bourgeoisie was rising and primed to oppress the peasents even more than the 'sword' nobility ever did. The effect on the evolution of french society will be profund, I think. The wars of religions are also likely to be impacted. Not to mention the Italian wars, if the french kings come with 1000s of archers.
First, this would indeed give the french an edge during the later days of the 100-y war ( Jeanne is saved from capture by arches volleys ), but it would also have some interesting effect by creating a peasant middle-class ( a french yeomanry ), just when the bourgeoisie was rising and primed to oppress the peasents even more than the 'sword' nobility ever did. The effect on the evolution of french society will be profund, I think. The wars of religions are also likely to be impacted. Not to mention the Italian wars, if the french kings come with 1000s of archers.